Preliminary Evaluation of a Permeable Reactive Barrier for Reducing Groundwater Nitrate Transport from a Large Onsite Wastewater System

• DOI: 10.3844/ajessp.2015.216.226
• Publication Date: 2015-12-09T10:09:01Z
• Authors: Charles Humphrey; Sushama Pradhan; Eban Bean; Michael O’Driscoll; Guy Iverson
• Keywords: Groundwater Pollution

A permeable reactive barrier was installed between a large Onsite Wastewater System (OWS) and monitoring well located down-gradient from the OWS. Groundwater samples had shown elevated increasing concentrations of NO3--N (>20 mg L-1 for 2 years). The constructed using woodchips various tree species that were placed in trench excavated to approximately same depth as which experiencing concentrations. (5) collected two weeks four months after installed. dropped by an average 5 L-1, while Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) increased 11 Cl stayed relatively stable (<2 increase). data suggest denitrification fueled DOC may be contributing lower Monitoring will continue at site determine longer-term water quality trends. More research should conducted evaluate applicability barriers best management practice non-point sources pollution nutrient sensitive areas.